Text Chapter 731: Careful Budgeting

The bell rang. A total of twenty-four sounds. There was silence in Zetian Hall. All the officials bowed to the ground. This is a tribute to the Empress Qin Yin. 7736 Imperial Calendar. Empress Qin Yin died in the blood-red abyss. Four years have passed now. But everyone knows. The day Qin Yin died. She was just twenty-four years old. Even now the three kings rule the world. But the world always believed that Qin Yin would return. Because she is orthodox of the Qin family. He is also the only inheritor in the royal family who has the personality of the main god.

The bell is over. Shangguan Jingyue was wearing the chief female officer's robe. He stepped forward and stretched out his hand and said, "My lords, please get up."

Everyone stood up one after another. Looking up, he saw Qin Yan and Feng Jixing standing side by side in front of the throne. No one is seated. Since the reign of the Three Kings. None of the three kings coveted this throne. Lin Muyu always believed that Qin Yin could be found. Feng Jixing and Qin Yan didn't believe it.

"His Royal Highness Yu has sent news from the other side of the ocean."

Feng Jixing's voice was low. But he said very calmly: "There is another continent on the other side of the East China Sea. The two planes have completely merged. The world on the other side is called Tianji. It is ruled by three major empires. They are the Tianji Empire, the Tianjue Empire, and the Black Stone Empire. The Tianji Continent The martial wind prevails. Its strength is far stronger than our Broken Cauldron Realm. Now Weiguo Gongweiqiu leads the Longdan Battalion in Tongtian Gorge to kill the demons. The empire should also shift its focus from the demons and Yihe Kingdom to The opponent on the other side of the ocean."

The ministers were shocked. Some people have heard some wind. Knowing that there is another world on the other side of the Eastern Sea. But most people don't know anything about Tianji Continent at all.

An old minister stepped forward. Holding a jade wat in hand. Respectfully said: "His Royal Highness Xin. This matter is not sure yet. Besides... even if there is a world beyond the ocean. But we can send envoys. Bring gold, silver and jewelry to make friends with them. Instead of blindly thinking about attacking. The empire has been through wars for a long time, and its national power is not as good as before. Please, your highnesses, be sympathetic to the sufferings of the common people in the world."

Feng Jixing nodded: "Uncle Yuyang's words are somewhat reasonable. But we must be prepared. While making friends with Tianji Continent, we must also be prepared to go to war. There are only so many lands in this world. Tianji Continent three It is impossible for the great empire to completely ignore the richness of the Broken Cauldron Realm. If we do not prepare, we will only become lambs waiting to be slaughtered."

Uncle Yuyang bowed his head and said: "I just hope that your highnesses will not be aggressive. I have missed my Daqin..."

Qin Yan was a little displeased. He frowned and said, "We have our own discretion. Uncle Yuyang doesn't need to worry too much."

Feng Jixing's eyes fell on Zeng Yifan who was at the front of the group of officials. Said: "Duke Zhong came all the way from Qihai province without hesitation. It's hard work. But...today's matter still needs a lot of advice from Duke Zhong. Duke thinks how the empire should deal with it now."

Zeng Yifan's faint eyes were shining with light. Said: "Since Tianji Continent and us are separated by nearly two thousand miles in the East China Sea. Then we must reorganize our navy, build new warships, and strengthen the three major eastern provinces of Lingdong, Tongtian, and Lingkong with all our strength. In addition, cast magic crystal cannons with all our strength. Heavy artillery will be our greatest chance of victory."

Feng Jixing nodded in satisfaction.

Qin Yan said: "Where is the minister of the Ministry of Industry?"

The Minister of the Ministry of Industry has already had a white beard. Step forward. Respectfully clasped his fists: "The old minister is here."

"The casting and improvement of the magic crystal cannon is mainly the business of your weapons department. I hope you will not slack off."

"Yes. The old minister knows."

At this time. The Minister of Weaponry behind him said: "Your Highness Qizuo. Master Qin Ziling sent a blueprint in a feather book from Tongtian Province. It's about building a building and a ship."

"Large boat." Feng Jixing was taken aback: "What kind of boat is that?"

"His Royal Highness. The building boat is a new type of warship. The sides of the warship are protected by thick parapets. Small magic crystal cannons can be placed in the cabin. The parapets are wrapped in iron to resist the bows and ballistas of enemy ships. Moreover, the building ship can be divided into multiple layers. Not only is it a heavy artillery fortress when facing the enemy, but it can also be used as an impulsive transport ship. A large building ship can transport at least 2000-4000 imperial soldiers. Master Qin Ziling is ingenious and clever. The ingenuity of the craftsman. Once this kind of building ship is successfully developed, it will definitely be the overlord in naval battles."

"Okay." Feng Jixing was overjoyed. With a big wave of his hand: "Sure. Immediately order to start developing and rushing to build this kind of building ship."

"It's just Your Highness..." The Minister of Weapons Department nodded and remained silent.

"Just what."

"It's just that the construction of the building ship is exquisite. The materials required include various iron ore and wood that are scarce in the empire. Therefore, casting the building ship will cost a huge amount of money."

"Just tell me directly. How much does it cost to cast a large ship?"

The Minister of Arms Department swallowed his saliva under Feng Jixing's gaze. Said: "About 300,000 gold coins can be used to cast a large building ship."

"Three hundred thousand."

Feng Jixing was startled: "It's so expensive. It's like a warship paved with gold."

The Minister of Weapons Division smiled wryly and said: "There is no other way. According to Master Qin Ziling's design, the entire warship is about 200 meters long. Therefore, the wood used to strengthen the hull must be very tough golden willow. This golden willow 10% in five hundred years. Originally, it was a precious material comparable to gold. If golden willow wood is not used to reinforce the overall hull, I am afraid that once there is a storm, such a large warship will be torn apart."

"Understood. 300,000 is 300,000." Feng Jixing looked into the distance: "Shangshu of the Ministry of Households. All the needs of the Ministry of Industry to develop weapons will be provided by you."

Hubu Shangshu is a fat man. A tuft of mustache grows on the chin. Like a goat's beard. His face was full of careful calculation. Said: "His Royal Highness Xin. A large ship costs 300,000 gold coins. Including the magic crystal cannon, sailors, equipment, etc. on the large ship, the cost of this large ship is a full 500,000 Gold Yin Coins. There are thousands of warships in the Navy. The value of a thousand large ships is 500 million Gold Yin Coins... The empire has already spent one billion Gold Yin Coins on steel parapets and magic crystal cannons. The national treasury is empty. Where can I get these five hundred million gold coins... The old minister really has no choice. If His Royal Highness must ask the old minister to contribute five hundred million gold coins, the old minister is powerless."

Feng Jixing squinted his eyes. Smiled: "Master Zhang. Your son married a concubine. A Tibetan Pavilion was built for her in the south of the city. It cost a total of 30 million gold coins. Someone reported this to me. I don't know if it is Not true. If the Ministry of Household Affairs is really that poor, I should think about whether to investigate all of this thoroughly. Where is Xiao Han, the Fire Sparrow Director?"

Xiao Han stood upright: "The end is here."

"Order. Xiao Han immediately led the Huoque Division to the house of the Minister of the Household Department to thoroughly investigate his embezzlement of state treasury materials. Fake public affairs for personal gain."

"yes."

The fat man was suddenly frightened. Hastily knelt on the ground. With snot and tears, he said: "His Royal Highness, Xin Wang, please forgive me. I, Zhang Rang, have been working hard for so many years. I have never done anything for personal gain. The dog's other garden is just his business from the Chamber of Commerce. There is absolutely no corruption. Xin Wang If His Highness doesn't trust me, the old minister is willing to take his dog to the street to beg. Collect the 500 million gold coins for His Highness."

"No need."

Feng Jixing smiled secretly. Said: "The reputation of your iron cock Zhang Rang has been spread far and wide. Otherwise, His Highness Yu would not have personally selected you as the Minister of the Ministry of Households. As long as you collect the 500 million gold Yin coins and hand them over to the Ministry of Industry. As for State treasury. You must make a record of every treasury revenue and expenditure. Submit a copy to Zetian Temple every month. Ah Yu and I trust you very much. I think you can manage the treasury of the Great Qin Empire. Don't let us down."

"Yes... yes. The old minister knows."

Feng Ji acts both kindly and powerful. Already made this Zhang submissive.

Zeng Yifan said: "According to His Royal Highness Yu's description, there is a unit called Dragoons on Tianji Continent. They are a group of warriors riding giant dragons. Their power is astonishing. If this is the case, we must take precautions. Otherwise. I'm afraid it will be controlled by others at the first step."

"Um."

Feng Jixing nodded. Said: "Dragon knights... are indeed very difficult. But it is very difficult for us to deal with the corps in the air. Ordinary arrows cannot penetrate dragon armor. Even white diamond arrows. Because of the weight and speed of the arrow body, it may not be able to penetrate the dragon armor. Penetrating the dragon armor. As for the magic crystal cannon. The magic crystal cannon fired in the air may not be able to accurately hit the dragon. Sigh..."

Qin Yan looked at Feng Jixing's frowning expression. Said: "His Royal Highness Xin. Let's take a step. We haven't even seen a real dragon rider. Now we are thinking about how to deal with it. It's too early."

After all, Qin Yan is still too young. Feng Jixing gave a wry smile. He didn't speak either.

At this time. Zeng Yifan squinted his eyes and said, "Your Highness, I don't know if you remember or not. Wei Guo Gong Wei Qiu. What is he best at."

Qin Yan was taken aback: "Archery."

"That's right." Zeng Yifan smiled slightly: "It's the archery technique of piercing Yang with a hundred steps. With the power of the Duke of Wei, open a strong bow of three hundred catties and shoot the enemy at a distance of two hundred meters. The old minister is thinking. What if We can train giant war eagles. Let the sharpshooters in our army ride giant eagles. Shoot only the eyes of dragon knights mount dragons. Will it have a miraculous effect."

Feng Jixing was stunned: "Is it possible? If you are riding a war eagle, not to mention the unstable body shape. The trajectory of the arrow is also easily affected by the strong wind in the air. It may not be easy to shoot a small longan .”

"But. Do we have another way?" Zeng Yifan smiled wryly.

Feng Jixing was speechless. With a wave of his hand: "It seems to be the case. Since it is so. Duke Zhong will not return to the Qihai province fief recently. He will stay in the imperial capital. Help the Ministry of War to develop this type of war eagle sharpshooter."

"Yes. The old minister obeyed."

The entire Zetian Palace fell into silence again. Everyone is thinking different things. But after a conversation. Feng Jixing and Qin Yan had a preliminary impression and confidence in facing the enemy in the distance.